Illumination device having an inverter and an igniter disposed in a lamp body

ABSTRACT

A luminaire includes a discharge lamp, a lighting device supplying a power for lighting the discharge lamp, and a lamp body for housing the discharge lamp and an igniter for starting the discharge lamp, the lighting device and igniter being provided separately, while the lighting device being disposed in the lamp body, whereby such parts employed in the lighting device as harness or the like to which a high voltage is applied can be shortened in the length to be able to improve the safety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to luminaires, for example, a luminaire employedin automotive head lamp.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The luminaires employed in the automotive head lamps have been disclosedin Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications Nos. 7-57503 and 10-147174,Japanese Patent No. 2,761,132, U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,921 and so on. Inparticular, U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,921 has been assigned to the sameassignee as the assignee of the present application, and its luminairecomprises a lamp including a discharge lamp, socket, reflector, lampcover, lens and lamp body, a lighting device including an inverter andigniter, and a coupler, wherein the socket connected through cables tothe lighting device inserted in the lamp.

In the conventional luminaire as in the above, however, there have beenproblems that, since in general the socket and igniter in the lightingdevice are connected through a harness, parts of a highwithstand-voltage are required when a high voltage is applied to theharness, the startability is deteriorated, and so on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to overcome the foregoing problems, and itsobject is to provide a luminaire which can reduce the length of suchpart to which the high voltage is applied as the harness employed in thelighting circuit, and which can attain an excellent startability.

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object that the luminaireaccording to the present invention is characterized in comprising adischarge lamp, a lighting device for supplying a power for lighting thedischarge lamp, an igniter for starting the discharge lamp, and a lampbody having at least a discharge-lamp holding member and housing thedischarge lamp, wherein the lighting device and igniter are provided asseparated, the lighting device is provided in the lamp body, and theigniter is provided adjacent to the discharge lamp.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should becomeclear from the description made in the followings with reference toembodiments shown in accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the present invention shall now be described with reference to therespective embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it should beappreciated that the intention is not to limit the present inventiononly to these embodiments but rather to include all alterations,modifications and equivalent arrangements:

FIG. 1 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in an embodimentaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a lighting unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lighting unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in another embodimentaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the luminaire in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in another according tothe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in another according tothe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in another according tothe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in another according tothe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view as disassembled embodiment ofthe luminaire in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11-14 are fragmentary explanatory views as magnified respectivelyof other embodiments according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectioned view showing the luminaire in another embodimentaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 16-18 are fragmentary explanatory views as magnified respectivelyof other embodiment according to the present invention;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are sectioned views respectively of other embodimentsaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view as disassembled of theluminaire in FIG. 19;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are fragmentary sectioned views as magnifiedrespectively of other embodiments according to the present invention;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are sectioned views respectively showing the luminairein other embodiments according to the present invention; and

FIG. 26 is a side view of the luminaire in FIG. 25.

THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The luminaire in an embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 1-3 may be used as an automotive head lamp, which comprises[, inconcrete,] such discharge lamp 1 as a metal halide lamp, a lamp socket 2a formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, i.e., closed at one end, andcapable of mounting a rear (righthand in the drawings) electrode sectionof the discharge lamp 1. The lamp socket 2 a has connecting terminalsfor electrical connection to respective electrodes of the discharge lamp1 and, preferably, is provided with an igniter 62 a′. The luminairefurther includes a reflector 3 which is a concave mirror (mirror ofparaboloid of revolution in the drawings) for reflecting luminous lightof the discharge lamp 1 forward (leftward in the drawing) and having ahole at the rearmost part for inserting the discharge lamp 1 into theconcave mirror, and a lamp cover 4 b for mounting and exchanging thedischarge lamp 1 and formed in a box shape opened on its front face(including a bottomed cylinder). Further, a lamp fixture 5 b, aflighting unit 6 b, an elastic member 7 b and a first coupler member 8 bare provided. Further, as is conventional, the reflector 3 is mountedinside the lamp fixture 5 b to be angularly adjustable. The lightingunit 6 b has a lighting device 62 a including an inverter 62 a″, and theinverter 62 a″ is to be installed as separated from the igniter 62 a′mounted to the lamp socket 2 a.

The lamp fixture 5 b is constituted by a lens 51 consisting of suchlight transmitting material as glass and disposed in front of thedischarge lamp 1, and a metal-made lamp body 52 b for housing in theinterior the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a and reflector 3. Thislamp body 52 b is formed in a box shape having a front opening closed bythe lens 51, a first opening 521 b made in a range (part) covering bothof upper rear side and rear upper side with respect to the dischargelamp 1, and a second opening 522 b on a rear center side. Adjacent thefirst opening 521 b of the lamp body 52 b, tapped holes are provided foruse with screws S. Further, to the second opening 522 b of the lamp body52 b, respective projections 41 b of the lamp cover 4 b are engaged.

The lighting unit 6 b is constituted to be integrally provided with ablock member 61 b and the lighting device 62 a. The block member 61 b ismade by a metal plate or the like having a shield effect, and to have ashape which blocks the first opening 521 b of the lamp body 52 b, or tohave fitting parts 611 b fitting into the first opening 521 b atrespective edge parts on upper and rear sides with respect to thedischarge lamp 1, so as to be L-shaped in section and facing at onesurface downward and at the other surface forward. Further, therespective fitting parts 611 b have a plurality of through holes 613 bfor passing the screws S. On the other hand, the lighting device 62 a isto start and light the discharge lamp, and is mounted to an innersurface of the block member 61 b. Also, the lamp socket 2 a is connectedto the lighting device 62 a by, for example, two cables W1 used as theharness, and outputs of the lighting device 62 a and respectiveconnecting terminals of the lamp socket 2 a are electricallyinterconnected. Further, the lighting device 62 a is provided with, forexample, a coupler exposed to the exterior, for the supply of power fromthe exterior.

The elastic member 7 comprises a rubber member or the like which isinterposed between the lamp fixture 5 b and the block member 61 b forsealing between them. Further, the elastic member 7 b is adhered to, forexample, an inner surface of edge parts of the respective fitting parts611 b or to projections 612 b of the lighting unit 6 b, by means of anadhesive, double-side adhesive tape or the like.

Referring next to an example of an assembling sequence of the lightingunit 6 b to the lamp fixture 5 b, the lighting unit 6 b with the side ofthe lighting device 62 a faced down is first fitted into the firstopening 521 b of the lamp body 52 b, and next the lighting unit 6 b isscrewed to the lamp body 52 b using the plurality of screws S. Next, thedischarge lamp 1 is inserted through the mouth of the reflector 3 intothe concave mirror and is mounted to the rearmost part of the reflector3. In this case, the arrangement may be so made as to mount thedischarge lamp 1 to the rearmost part of the reflector 3 through amounting member (such as a fixture or the like), or to configure thereflector 3 for allowing the discharge lamp 1 to be directly mounted tothe rearmost part of the reflector. The lamp socket 2 a provided withthe igniter 62 a′ is mounted to the electrode part of the discharge lamp1, and then the lamp cover 4 b is fitted as rotated to the lamp body 522b, whereby the interior of the lamp fixture 5 b is in a sealed state.

It is needless to say that the assembly sequence is not limited to theabove but other assembly sequences may be adopted. For example, theassembly sequence may be such that the lighting unit 6 b is first fittedin the first opening 521 b of the lamp body 52 b, then the lighting unit6 b is screwed to the lamp body 52 b with the plurality of screws S,thereafter the electrode part of the discharge lamp 1 is mounted to thelamp socket 2 a, subsequently the discharge lamp 1 is inserted into theconcave mirror through the mouth of the reflector 3, and the dischargelamp 1 and lamp socket 2 a are mounted to the rearmost part of thereflector 3. Thereafter, the lamp cover 4 b is fitted as rotated intothe first opening 521 b of the lamp body 52 b. In this case, thearrangement may also be such that the discharge lamp 1 and lamp socket 2a, integrally mounted with a mounting fixture or the like, is mounted tothe rearmost part of the reflector 3, or the reflector 3 may be soconfigured as to allow the discharge lamp 1 and lamp socket 2 a to bedirectly mounted to the rearmost part.

Now, since in the present embodiment the igniter 62 a′ and inverter 62a″ are mutually separated but connected inside the lamp body 52 b withthe cables W1 used as the harness which is not exposed to the exterior,safety can be improved.

Further, it is possible to render the interior of both of the lightingdevice 62 a and lamp fixture 5 b to be waterproof without requiringeither a waterproof structure or a cover of exclusive use for thewaterproofness, since the lighting unit 6 b with the block member 61 bis shaped for blocking the first opening 521 b of the lamp Sb and withthe lighting device 62 a mounted in this block member 61 b, and sincethe elastic member 7 b is interposed between the lamp fixture 5 b andthe block member 61 b for sealing between them. This allows the parts tobe reduced and the waterproof mechanism to be simplified. Further, asthe lighting device 62 a is not required to be waterproof, it ispossible to reduce the total costs.

Further, the lamp body 52 b and block member 61 b need not be entirely,of a metal, but may be of metal plated on a resin to have a shieldingeffect. Further, the elastic member 7 b of a structure capable of beingadhered to the inner surface of edge parts of the respective fittingparts 611 b of the lighting unit 6 b may also be employed.

The luminaire in another embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 comprises the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a, reflector3, lamp fixture 5 h, lighting unit 6 i and elastic member 7 h. The blockmember 61 i provided integrally with the lighting unit 6 i is formedwith a metal plate or the like having the shielding effect into a shapecapable of blocking the first opening 521 h of the lamp body 52 h or abottomed cylindrical shape opened on its front side, and having in themiddle of a side face a flange 616 i provided peripherally. Further, theflange 616 i has on its outer periphery a plurality of projections 614 isequentially provided in a state mutually, separated and made to havethrough holes 613 i for the screws S. Further on the front face of theflange 616 i, the elastic member 7 h is adhered. In a mounting wall ofthe block member 61 i for the lighting device 62 a, a through hole (notshown) is bored for connection between the lighting device 62 a and acoupler 8 e which is mounted to an outer face of the block member 61 iwhere the through hole is present, and respective connecting terminalsof the coupler 8 e are electrically connected to power source terminalsof the lighting device 62 a.

Referring next to an example of the assembly sequence of the lightingunit 6 i to the lamp fixture 5 h, initially the discharge lamp 1 isinserted through the hole of the reflector 3 into the concave mirror andmounted to the rearmost part of the reflector 3, and then the lampsocket 2 a is mounted to the electrode part of the discharge lamp 1,thereafter the first opening 521 h of the lamp body 52 h is blocked bythe lighting unit 6 i with its side of the lighting device 62 a facedfrontward, and subsequently the lighting unit 6 i is fastened to thelamp body 52 h by means of the plurality of screws S. The interior ofthe lamp fixture 5 h is thereby in the sealed state.

As has been described, both of the lighting device 62 a and the interiorof the lamp fixture 5 h can be made waterproof without requiring eitherthe waterproof structure or the cover of exclusive use for thewaterproofness, by configuring the light unit 6 i with the block member61 i formed in a shape capable of blocking the first opening 521 h ofthe lamp fixture 5 h as well as the lighting device 62 a mounted to theinner wall of the block member 61 i, and employing the elastic member 7h interposed between the lamp fixture 5 h and the block member 61 i forsealing between them. As a result, the reduction of parts andsimplification of the waterproof mechanism can be made possible. It isalso not required to provide the lighting device 62 a in the waterproofstructure, and a total cost reduction is possible.

Further, as the block member 61 i of the lighting unit 6 i acts also asthe lamp cover, the reduction of parts number is possible. As the blockmember 61 i of the lighting unit 6 i is disposed at the rear, the effortfor exchanging the discharge lamp 1 is easier. As the coupler 8 e isconnected to the lighting device 62 a through the through hole of theblock member 61 i, further, the interior of the lamp fixture 5 h can bemade more optimumly waterproof merely by employing a further waterproofstructure only with respect to the portion of the through hole.

According to the present invention, further, the lighting unit can bedisposed at appropriate position. In the luminaire of another embodimentof the present invention as shown in FIG. 6, the lamp cover 4 a is formounting and exchanging the discharge lamp 1 and is formed in a boxshape having a front opening and a flange 41 a formed outward at edgepart of the front opening. This lamp cover 4 a is mounted to the lamp 5a by means of, for example, screws (not shown) or the like.

The lamp 5 a is constituted by the lens 51, and the lamp body 52 a madeof a metal and housing therein the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a andreflector 3. The lamp body 52 a is formed in a box shape having thefront opening which is blocked by the lens 51, as well as a firstopening 521 a on lower side with respect to the discharge lamp 1 andopening 522 a on rearward center side to be blocked by the lamp cover 4a. Further, adjacent the first opening 521 a of the lamp body 52 a, aplurality of tapped holes for the screws S are formed. The lighting unit6 a is integrally provided with the lighting device 62 a and blockmember 61 a, and the lighting device 62 a is formed in a box shapeopened upward while having a fitting part 611 a to be fitted in thefirst opening 521 a and being one size larger than the fitting part 611a.

In this case, the fitting part 611 a of the lighting unit 6 a is firstfitted in the first opening 521 a of the lamp body 52 a with thelighting device 62 a disposed downward, and then the lighting unit 6 ais fastened to the lamp body 52 a by means of the screws S. At thistime, the elastic member 7 a is disposed between edge parts of the firstopening 521 a and of the fitting part 611 a. Thereby the lighting unit 6a, in particular, the lighting device 62 a is disposed at upper cornerpart of rear wall in the lamp body 52 a as aligned with horizontaldirection.

The luminaire in another embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 7 comprises the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a, ref lector 3,lamp fixture 5 f, lighting unit 6 f, elastic member 7 a and coupler 8 e.The lamp fixture 5 f is constituted by the lens 51 and the lamp body 52f made of a metal and housing therein the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket2 a and reflector 3. This lamp body 52 f is formed in a box shape havinga front opening to be closed by the lens 51 and the opening 521 f over awide range covering both a downward rear side and an rearward upper sidewith respect to the discharge lamp 1. Adjacent the opening 521 f of thelamp body 52 f, a plurality of the tapped holes for the screws S areformed.

The lighting unit 6f is provided integrally with the lighting device 62a and block member 61 f, while the block member 61 f is formed with ametal plate having the shield effect into a shape blocking the opening521 f of the lamp body 52 f, or in an L-shape in cross section with onesurface directed upward and another surface directed forward and havingengaging stepped parts 611 f at respective edges on the lower and rearsides. In the respective engaging stepped parts 611 f of the blockmember 61 f, further, a plurality of through holes (not shown) are boredfor the screws S. Further, the elastic member 7 a is adhered to theinner surface at edge portions of the respective fitting stepped parts611 f. A through hole 615 f for connection between the lighting device62 a and the coupler 8 e is made in a mounting wall for the lightingdevice 62 a of the block member 61 f, the coupler 8 e is mounted toouter surface of the block member 61 f at the position of the throughhole 615 f, and respective connecting terminals of the coupler 8 e andthe respective power source terminals of the lighting device 62 a areelectrically connected through the through hole 615 f.

In this case, the arrangement is so made that the lighting device 62 ais mounted to an inner surface on a lower side of the block member 61 f,and output lines are electrically connected through the cables W1 to therespective connecting terminals of the lamp socket 2 a. In thisembodiment of FIG. 7, the lighting device 62 a is disposed at a lowercorner of the rear wall of the lamp body 52 b to be in the horizontaldirection.

The luminaire in another embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 8 comprises the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a, reflector 3,lamp fixture 5 e, lighting device 6 e, elastic member 7 a and coupler 8e, and a wiring harness H is connected to the coupler 8 e.

The lamp fixture 5 e is constituted by the lens 51 and the metal madelamp body 52 e housing therein the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a andreflector 3. This lamp body 52 e is formed in the box shape having thefront opening which is closed by the lens 51, and is provided with theopening 521 e in a wide range covering both of the upper rearward sideand rear lower side with respect to the discharge lamp 1. Adjacent theopening 521 e of the lamp body 52 e, further, a plurality of the tappedholes for the screws S are formed.

The lighting unit 6 e is so constituted as to be provided integrallywith the lighting device 62 a and block member 61 e. The block member 61e is formed by the metal plate having the shield effect, in a shapeblocking the opening 521 e of the lamp body 52 e or in an L-shape incross section having surfaces facing downward and forward, respectively,and having the fitting stepped parts 611 e at respective edge parts onthe upper and rear sides with respect to the discharge lamp 1. Therespective fitting stepped parts 611 e of the block member 61 e areprovided with the plurality of through holes (not shown) for the screwsS. To the inner surface at edge portions of the respective fittingstepped parts 611 e, further, the elastic member 7 a is adhered. In theblock member 61 e, the mounting wall for the lighting device 62 a isbored to have the through hole 615 e for the connection between thelighting device 62 a and the coupler 8 e.

However, the lighting device 62 a is mounted to the inner surface of therear side of the block member 61 e, and is SO constituted that itsoutputs are electrically connected through the cables W1 to therespective connection terminals of the lamp socket 2 a. In the presentembodiment of FIG. 8, the lighting device 62 a is disposed to bevertical at an upper corner of the rear wall in the lamp body 52 e.

Also in the respective embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and in each ofFIGS. 6-8, the same safety as in the above described embodiment can beattained by providing the igniter to the lamp socket and disposing theinverter in the lighting device.

The luminaire in another embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 9 comprises the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a, reflector 3,lamp fixture 5 b, lighting unit powder source coupler 8 a, first andsecond load-side coupler members 8 b and 8 b′ and partition 8 b″. Morespecifically, the discharge lamp 1 such as the HID lamp is disposed inthe lamp body 52 b provided with the reflector 3 such as the concavemirror, and a housing chamber 5 a′ for housing the lighting device 62 ais formed in interior space of the lamp body 52 b. The lamp cover 4 a isprovided to the rear wall to cover the opening of the lamp body 52 a.The lamp body 52 a and lamp cover 4 a are detachably coupled with suchfixing tool as the screws employed. The lamp cover 4 a is detached fromthe lamp body 52 b at the time when the discharge lamp 1 is exchangedand so on. The front side of the lamp body 52 b should preferably becovered by a lamp cover having the light transmitting properties.

The housing chamber 5 a′ is a space enclosed by a partition 8 a″ formedto be U-shaped in section and integral with a planar part of the innerperiphery of the lamp body 52 b, as shown in FIG. 10, and the firstcoupler member 8 b is provided to a surface of the housing chamber 5 a′on the rear end side of the lamp body 52 b. This first coupler member 8b may be integrally molded with the lamp body 52 b. To the first couplermember 8 b, further, the lamp socket 2 a is connected through the loadcables W1 forming the harness, and the power source coupler 8 a as apower source connector is connected through a power source cable W2forming the harness. The lamp socket 2 a is fixed to the regularposition on a rear side surface of the reflector 3 in the interior ofthe lamp body 52 b so as to hold the discharge lamp 1 and toelectrically connect the load cable W1 to the discharge lamp 1 on theother hand, the power-source coupler 8 a is fixed by being passedthrough the rear wall, and a connecting part of the power-source coupler8 a is formed on an outer side of the lamp body 52 a.

The connecting part of the first coupler member 8 b is formed on aninner side of the housing chamber 5 a′, and the coupler Bbl provided tothe lighting device 62 a is detachably coupled to this first couplermember 8 b. The lighting device 62 a is constituted by a housing in theblock member 61 a of a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The igniter 62a′ applies a high voltage pulse to the discharge lamp 1 upon itsstarting and the inverter 62 a″ maintains the lighting of the dischargelamp 1 with the DC source power converted, and the second coupler member8 b′ is mounted to one surface of the block member 61 a. This secondcoupler member 8 b′ is provided with contacts electrically connected tothe power source and to the discharge lamp 1. For the second couplermember 8 b′, one which is mechanically coupled at a relatively highstrength to the first coupler member 8 b, is employed. Therefore, thelighting device 62 a is to be mounted to the lamp body 52 b as the blockmember 61 a of the lighting device 62 a is inserted from the openingside of the housing chamber 5 a′ up to a position where the secondcoupler member 8 b′ is coupled to the first coupler member 8 b. Further,because the lamp socket 2 a and first coupler member 8 b are connectedby means of the load cable W1, and the powder source coupler 8 a andfirst coupler member 8 b are connected by means of the source cable W2,the electric connection and mechanical fixation are to be simultaneouslyattained as the lighting device 62 a is mounted to the housing chamber 5a′.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the housing chamber 5 a′ is providedon an inner periphery adjacent to the opening thereof with a lockingprojection 5 a″ which increases its projection from the side of theopening toward inner side. Thus, the block member 61 a of the lightingdevice 62 a will be locked by the locking projection 5 a″ at theposition where the first coupler member 8 b of the lighting device 62 ais coupled to the first coupler member 8 b fixed to the lamp body 5 a.With this arrangement, the block member 61 a of the lighting device 62 ais to be so locked as to be in the state of being housed in the housingchamber 5 a′ and not to fall off from the housing chamber 5 a′.Consequently, there is no member which penetrates throughout the lampbody 5 a except for the power source coupler 8 a, and no waterproofingis required for the lighting device 62 a, so as to result in thereduction of costs. Further, while the lighting device 62 a is housedwithin the lamp body 5 a, the interposition of the reflector 3 and lampcover 4 a between the device and the discharge lamp 1 restrains anyoverheating of the lighting device 62 a.

As regards the technique for fixing the block member 61 a of thelighting device 62 a to the housing chamber 5 a′ without falling off,the mechanism shown in FIGS. 12 through 14 may be adopted. That is, asshown in FIG. 12, a locking recess 5 a′″ is provided in a surface of theblock member 61 a opposing to the partition 8 b″, and the lockingprojection 5 a″ which engages in the locking recess 5 a′″ in the statewhere the block member 61 a is mounted to the housing chamber 5 a′ isprovided to project on the inner periphery of the partition 8 b″.Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the locking projection 5″ is provided toproject on the surface of the block member 61 a opposing to thepartition 8 b″ while the locking recess 58′″ is provided to thepartition 8 b″ so that the same function as that shown in FIG. 12 willbe attained. As shown in FIG. 14, further, the block member 61 a isprovided with a mounting leaf 61 a′ projecting at an end part oppositeto the second coupler member 8 b′, and a fixing screw 61 a″ passedthrough the mounting leaf 61 a′ is screwed to part of the partition 8b″. With this arrangement, therefore, the block member 61 a is fixed tothe lamp body 5 a by means of the fixing screw 61 a″, and it is possibleto further increase the coupling strength of the lighting device 62 awith respect to the lamp body 5 a.

The luminaire in another embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 15 comprises the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a, reflector 3,lamp fixture 5 h, lighting unit 6 h, elastic member 7 h and coupler 8 e.The lamp fixture 5 h is constituted by the lens 51 and the metal-madelamp body 52 h housing therein the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a andreflector 3. This lamp body 52 h is formed in a box shape having a frontopening closed by the lens 51 and a circular first opening 521 h on therear side with respect to the discharge lamp 1. A plurality of tappedholes for the screws S are formed adjacent to the first opening 521 h ofthe lamp body 52 h.

The lighting unit 6 h is provided integrally with the lighting device 62a and block member 61 h. This block member 61 h is formed with the metalplate or the like having the shield effect, into a shape blocking thefirst opening 521 h of the lamp body 52 h, or into a bottomed cylinderhaving the front opening and a flange 616 h provided along peripheraledge of the opening. A plurality of projected leaves 614 h havingthrough holes 613 h for the screws S are sequentially provided asmutually separated on an outer periphery of the flange 616 h. Further,on the mounting surface of the block member 61 h for the lighting device62 a, a through hole (not shown) is provided as projected for connectionof the lighting device 62 a and coupler 8 e. The coupler 8 e can bemounted to the outer surface of the block member 61 h having thisthrough hole, and the respective connecting terminals of the coupler 8 eare to be electrically connected to the source terminals of the lightingdevice 62 a through the through hole.

In the present invention, further, various design modification ispossible. In particular, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the connectionbetween the lighting device including the inverter and the socketprovided with the igniter may be replaced by a connection of the harnessand coupler or a connection only by means of the coupler. As shown inFIG. 16, further, the coupler 8 e may be secured to a casing 62 c onwhich the inverter 62 a″ is loaded, and, if required, the coupler 8 ecan be waterproof. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, theconstitution may be such that the casing 62 c carrying the inverter 62a″ may be provided with a fitting notch 62 c′, the coupler 8 e issecured to the block member 61 h and, when the inverter 62 a″ is coupledto the block member 61 h, the coupler 8 e will be fitted in the fittingnotch 62 c′. As shown in FIG. 18, further, such electronic parts 30 asthe inverter 62 a and so on are housed in the casing 62 c, and a resin62 d is pored in the interior of this casing 62 c. This attains anattempt of heat radiation from the electronic parts and discharge lampwhen the casing 62 c is made of a metal.

Also as shown in FIG. 19, the constitution may be such that a dischargelamp 1 connected to the cable W1 without the lamp socket 2 a is used,and the discharge lamp 1 incorporates therein the igniter 62 a′.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and in FIGS. 22and 23, the lighting device 62 a in other embodiments of the presentinvention is provided with two couplers 8 a′ and 8 b′, one of whichcouplers 8 b′ on the load side is coupled to a coupler 27 disposedbetween the peripheral wall of the lamp body 52 b and the housingchamber 5 a′, and this coupler 27 is connected through the cable W1comprising the harness to the lamp socket 2 a. Between the peripheralwall of the lamp body 52 b and the housing chamber 5 a′, a gapcorresponding to the thickness of the coupler 27 is formed, and aprojection 61 a′″ of dimensions corresponding to this gap is formed onthe case 61 a of the lighting device 62 a. The other second couplermember 8 a′ on the power side is formed in a shape projecting out of theprojection 61 a′″. Here, the couplers 8 a′ and 8 b′ are formed by aconducting pattern at end parts of a printed wiring substrate on whichcircuit parts constituting the lighting device 62 a are mounted. Thatis, the printed wiring substrate is partly projected, and the couplers 8a′ and 8 b′ are formed on this projected part by forming a plurality oflinear conducting patterns along projecting direction. The power-sourceside coupler 8 a′ is connectable to a card edge connector, and forms apower source connecting section connected to the power source. By suchseparate provision of the power-source side and load-side couplers 8 a′and 8 b′, it is possible to separate the interior wiring of the lampbody 5 b and the source power system from the exterior of the lamp body5 b, and any leakage of load side output to the source side can beprevented. In the partition 16 of the housing chamber 5 a′, a throughhole 8 b′″ for passing the projection 61 a″ is formed, and a lead hole10 c for passing the second coupler member 8 a′ is formed in theperipheral wall of the lamp body 5 a. Around the lead hole 10 c, anelastic member 28 acting as a packing is disposed so that, in the statewhere the case 61 a is mounted to the housing chamber 5 a′, the elasticmember 28 will be held between the projection 61 a″ and the innersurface of the peripheral wall of the lamp body 5 a. By holding in thisway the elastic member 28 between the case 61 a and the lamp body 5 a,the waterproofness around the lead hole 10 c can be assured. Also inthis state, the second coupler member 8 b′ is coupled to the coupler 27.

In the present embodiment, the lamp socket 2 a is connected through thecable W1 to the coupler 27 housed in the interior of the lamp body 5 a,so that, similar to the first embodiment, the lighting device 62 a andlamp socket 2 a can be connected just by mounting the lighting device 62a to the housing chamber 5 a′, and the assembling work is renderedeasier. Yet, in the present embodiment, the power-source side coupler 8a′ for connection to the power source through the lead hole 10 c formedin the peripheral wall of the lamp body 5 a is projected out of the lampbody 5 a, so that, as compared with the foregoing embodiments, the cableW1 is made unnecessary and the assembling work is made more easier.Other constitution and operation are the same as in the foregoingembodiments.

In another embodiment according to the present invention shown in FIG.24, the housing chamber 522 b to which the parallelepiped case 61 a ofthe lighting device 62 a is mountable is provided in the lamp cover 4 b.That is, a space communicating with the inner side of the lamp body 5 ain the lamp cover 4 b is recessed, and the housing chamber 522 b isformed at such recessed portion. On one surface of the case 61 a whichwill be on the side of the lamp socket 2 a in the state where the case61 a is mounted to the housing chamber 522 b, the load side secondcoupler member 8 b′ is provided, while on opposing side to the innerperiphery of the lamp cover 4 b the source coupler 8 a to which thesource side coupler 8 a′ can be coupled is mounted. The second couplermember 8 b′ is connected to the lamp socket 2 a employing the cable W1forming the harness.

With the above constitution, the lighting device 62 a is detachablemerely by dismounting the lamp cover 4 b from the lamp body 52 b, andthe assembling work is rendered easier. Since the lighting device 62 ais housed in the lamp cover 4 b, further, no waterproofing is requiredtherefor, so as to result in the reduction of costs.

The luminaire in another embodiment according to the present inventionas shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 comprises the discharge lamp 1, lamp socket2 a, reflector 3, elastic member 7 h and coupler 8 e, as well as thelamp body 5 j and lighting unit 6 j. The lamp body 5 j is constituted bythe lens 51 and the metal made lamp body 52 j housing therein thedischarge lamp 1, lamp socket 2 a and reflector 3. This lamp body 52 jis formed into the box shape having the front opening closed by the lens51 and the circular opening 521 j on rear side of the discharge lamp 1.The opening 521 j is provided with sequential grooves (not shown) forinserting bent projections 617 j later described.

The lighting unit 6 j is so constituted as to be integrally providedwith the lighting device 52 a and block member 61 j. This block member614 is formed with a metal plate or the like having the shield effect,in a shape for blocking the opening 521 j of the lamp body 52 j, or abox shape having a front opening (a bottomed box shape in FIGS. 25 and26) and a flange 616 j on the peripheral edge of the opening. Further,the block member 61 j is formed to have a plurality of the bentprojections 617 j in a state mutually separated as extended forward froma base part of the flange 616 j and bent outward. Onto a front face ofthe flange 616 j, the elastic member 7 h is adhered. In mounting surfaceof the block member 61 j for the lighting device 62 a, a through hole(not shown) for the connection between the lighting device 62 a and thecoupler 8 e is bored. The coupler 8 e is mounted to the outer surface ofthe block member 61 j having the through hole, and the respectiveconnecting terminals of the coupler 8 e are electrically connected tothe source terminals of the lighting device 62 a.

Next, an example of assembling sequence of the lighting unit 6 j to thelamp 5 j shall be described. Initially, the discharge lamp 1 is mountedto the rearmost part of the reflector 3 as inserted through the hole ofthe reflector 3 into the concave mirror, and then the lamp socket 2 a ismounted to the electrode section of the discharge lamp 1. Thereafter,the lighting unit 6 j is fitted as rotated into the opening 521 j of thelamp body 52 j with the lighting device 62 a side disposed frontward,whereby the interior of the lamp 5 j is in a sealed state.

By forming the lighting unit 6 j with the foregoing block member 61 jformed in the shape blocking the opening 521 j of the lamp body 5 j, andwith the lighting device 52 a mounted to the inner surface of this blockmember 61 j, and by employing the elastic member 7 h as interposedbetween the lamp body 5 j and the block member 61 j to seal betweenthem, it is made possible to waterproof the interior of both of thelighting device 62 a and lamp body 5 j without requiring either thedoubled waterproof structure or the cover for exclusive waterproofinguse. It is thereby possible to reduce the parts and to simplify thewaterproof mechanism. Further, since the lighting device 62 a is notrequired to be of waterproof structure, it becomes possible to reducethe total costs. Further, as no screw S is required to use for mountingthe lighting unit 6 j to the lamp body 5 j, the reduction of partsnumber is made possible and the assembling work is rendered easier.

Further, as the block member 61 j of the lighting unit 6 j also acts asthe lamp cover, the reduction of the number of parts is made possible.Further, as the block member 61 j of the lighting unit 6 j is disposedat the rear, the exchange effort of the discharge lamp 1 is made easier.Yet, as the coupler 8 e is connected through the through hole in theblock member 61 j to the lighting device 62 a, it is possible to attainthe optimum waterproof charateristics with respect to the interior ofthe lamp body 5 j by adopting additionally the waterproof structure onlywith respect to the part of the through hole.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luminaire for use as an automotive headlamp,comprising a discharge lamp; a lighting device including an inverter forsupplying power for lighting the discharge lamp; an igniter for startingthe discharge lamp; and a lamp body having at least a discharge lampholding member and housing therein the discharge lamp; wherein theinverter and the igniter of the lighting device are provided as mutuallyseparated, with the inverter disposed in the lamp body and with theigniter disposed in the lamp body adjacent to the discharge lamp; theinverter and igniter connected together through a wire harness disposedin the lamp body.
 2. The luminaire according to claim 1, wherein theigniter is incorporated in a lamp socket mounted to the discharge lamp.3. A luminaire for use as an automotive headlamp, comprising a dischargelamp; a lighting device including an inverter for supplying power forlighting the discharge lamp; an igniter for starting the discharge lamp;and a lamp body having at least a discharge lamp holding member andhousing therein the discharge lamp and the igniter; wherein the inverterand the igniter of the lighting device are provided as mutuallyseparated; the lighting device disposed in the lamp body, and thedischarge lamp and the igniter formed integral together, the inverterand the igniter connected together through a wire harness disposed inthe lamp body.
 4. A luminaire for use as an automotive headlamp,comprising a discharge lamp; a lighting device for supplying power forlighting the discharge lamp; an igniter for starting the discharge lamp;and a lamp body provided at least with a discharge lamp holding memberand housing the discharge lamp; wherein the lighting device and theigniter are provided as separated; the lighting device disposed in thelamp body, and the igniter disposed in the lamp body adjacent to thedischarge lamp; a block member provided in a shape for blocking anopening of the lamp body; an inverter mounted to the block member on asurface facing the interior of the lamp body; and an elastic memberinterposed between the lamp body and the block member which blocks theopening of the lamp body.
 5. The luminaire according to claim 4 whereinthe block member acts also as a lamp cover closing another opening ofthe lamp body.
 6. The luminaire according to claim 4 wherein the openingof the lamp body extends along lower and rear sides thereof and isformed to be L-shaped.
 7. The luminaire according to claim 4 wherein theblock member is provided with a coupler.
 8. The luminaire according toclaim 4 wherein the block member is separated by a flange for sealingthe opening of the lamp body and a case for housing the inverter.
 9. Theluminaire according to claim 4 wherein the block member is formed ofmetal, and electronic parts of the inverter are directly contactedtherewith.
 10. The luminaire according to claim 4 wherein the blockmember is formed of metal, and electronic parts of the inverter arecontacted therewith through a resin material.
 11. A luminaire for use asan automotive headlamp, comprising a high intensity discharge lamp; aninverter supplying power for lighting the high intensity discharge lampwith a rectangular wave; an igniter for starting the high intensitydischarge lamp; and a lamp body housing the high intensity dischargelamp and including a reflector which holds at least the high intensitydischarge lamp; wherein the inverter and the igniter are provided asmutually separated; the inverter disposed inside the lamp body; theinverter disposed on a member closing an opening of the lamp body; theopening being used for exchanging the discharge lamp; the high intensitydischarge lamp connected to a lamp socket to receive the supplied power;and the igniter generating a high voltage for starting the highintensity discharge lamp and disposed in the lamp socket, the lampsocket disposed within the lamp body.